11 places to go in 2014

By Tamara Hinson, for CNN

Updated 0554 GMT (1354 HKT) December 14, 2013

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Panama: Canal's 100th birthday – The Panama Canal's 100-year anniversary arguably is not, in and of itself, a top five reason for visiting the country in 2014. But the events surrounding the big day and Panama's other attractions certainly are.

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Brazil: The World Cup – If you're a football fan, or a beach fan, or a party fan, or a wildlife fan, and especially if you're all of the above, Brazil will be hard to beat as a destination in 2014. Hosting the World Cup during June and July, it also offers great areas like the Amazon basin and the amazing Iguazu Falls.

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Myanmar: Tourism 'Master Plan' – Myanmar has been touted as "the next big tourism destination" for a few years already, but getting around the country has proved tricky. That's started to change already and next year it's going to accelerate under a new tourism "master plan."

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Iceland: Best Northern Lights for years – "With NASA scientists predicting that an 11-year cycle of solar activity will peak this winter, for the first few months of 2014 the Northern Lights are expected to put on their most spectacular display for the next decade," says David Phillips, operations manager for Explorers Astronomy Tours.

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Ecuador: Becoming a 'tourism powerhouse' – In the last few months Ecuador's new Minister of Tourism, Vinicio Alvarado, announced a $600 million investment in tourism over the next four years as part of a plan to become a "tourism powerhouse." It's probably the best vacation spot you haven't yet considered, unless your name's Julian Assange.

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New Zealand: 2,500-kilometer cycle trail – If doing more exercise is one of your 2014 resolutions (and this time you mean it), an extended trip to New Zealand could provide the means. The 2,500-kilometer Nga Haerenga cycle trail in New Zealand will be completed in 2014, showcasing the best of the country's landscape, culture and heritage.

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Costa Rica: Officially approved beaches – If you're the type that likes awards and official stamps of approval before buying your vacation, the beaches in Nosara in Costa Rica just winked at you. They're likely to become popular in 2014, thanks to the recent award of a Blue Flag -- an international certification awarded to beaches that offer top quality and environmentally friendly experiences.

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Japan: Brand new festivals – The 50th anniversary of the bullet train, several new festivals (in a country already in possession of some bizarre ones), a new luxurious cruise train called Seven Stars offering visitors a spectacular new way to explore the prefecture of Kyushu -- there are plenty of reasons to visit Japan in 2014.

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East Africa: One visa, three countries – Spotting gorillas in Uganda and rhino in Kenya will become a less complicated affair in 2014 after changes to visa regulations come into effect."Visiting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a trip of a lifetime, but the magical experience itself lasts just one hour once you get up close to them," says Brad John-Davis, general manager for PEAK Africa.

Tallinn, Estonia: Tunnels and Titanic meals – Tallinn's beautiful old town is reason any year to head to this under-visited city, but in 2014 its most popular tourist attraction will become significantly more accessible, thanks to plans to complete excavation of the tunnels beneath the famous bastion walls. A Titanic Artifact exhibition has also recently opened, hosting several gala dinners inspired by the last night on the doomed ship.

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Story highlights

New Zealand government threw $50 million into the construction of the Nga Haerenga cycle trails

First few months of 2014 best period for Northern Lights for years, as NASA scientists predict a peak in solar activity

Wondering where to go for your next holiday? Experts explain which destinations we should be checking out in 2014.

Brazil: The World Cup

The modern game of football, or soccer, may have been born in England's public schools, but many will claim its soul has settled in Brazil.

It has the world's most successful international team, winning the World Cup five times. It calls what many claim to be the world's greatest player, Pele, one of its own. And company managers and bosses are known to demand their employees skip work to watch the big games.

The World Cup next year then, to be hosted over June and July in 18 cities across the country, is likely to be memorable, to say the least.

Throw in the rest of the country, which includes rainforests, beaches and a party culture that makes most New Year's Eve soirees look decidedly po-faced, and you have the makings of an epic trip.

Daisy Parker from ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) suggests visiting some of the country's more remote areas.

"The Brazilians' love of a party is going to make it a must-visit long haul destination for 2014," she says.

"Once fans have flown that far we predict many will stay on to check out areas like the Amazon basin and the amazing Iguazu Falls. Brazil's beaches are also some of the best in the world."

Explore offers a 14-day Pure Brazil tour, which starts from $5,913 per person (not including flights).

"The Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has prepared a 'Master Plan' and 'Responsible Tourism Policy' to map out the future of tourism in the country," says Professor Donald E. Hawkins, Eisenhower Professor of Tourism Policy at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

"The goal in 2014 is to maximize tourism's contribution to national employment and income generation while ensuring the social and economic benefits of tourism are distributed equitably."

"With NASA scientists predicting that an 11-year cycle of solar activity will peak this winter, for the first few months of 2014 the Northern Lights are expected to put on their most spectacular display for the next decade," says David Phillips, operations manager for Explorers Astronomy Tours.

"Although a viewing of the aurora borealis can never be guaranteed, you can boost your chances by heading to the beautiful and more remote areas such as northern Iceland so that you are well away from light pollution."

Discover the World offers a range of Iceland-based tours, with prices starting from $329 per person (excluding flights).

In the last few months Ecuador's new Minister of Tourism, Vinicio Alvarado, announced a $600 million investment in tourism over the next four years, a hike of more than 300%, as part of a plan to become a "tourism powerhouse."

Beautiful investment.

Earlier this year a new international airport opened in Quito. A new luxury train just started operations and the country continues to be the world's best place to retire, according to International Living.

If doing more exercise is one your 2014 resolutions (and this time you mean it), an extended trip to New Zealand could provide the means.

In 2014 the country will complete its enormous Nga Haerenga cycle trail, designed to showcase the best of the country's landscape, culture and heritage.

The 2,500-kilometer network is made up of 23 shorter trails covering both the North and South islands, and the final two will be completed in January.

The New Zealand government threw $50 million into the construction of these trails, which snake through lush rainforests, glacial-fed lakes and along old railway lines once used by miners during the Gold Rush.

New Zealand-based tour operator Natural High offer a 17-day cycle tour from Auckland on the North Island to Christchurch on the South island. Prices start from $4,223 (excluding flights).

If you're the type that likes awards and official stamps of approval before buying your vacation, the beaches in Nosara in Costa Rica just winked at you.

They're likely to become popular in 2014, thanks to the recent award of a Blue Flag -- an international certification awarded to beaches that offer top quality and environmentally friendly experiences.

Alvin Rosenbaum, an expert in tourism and senior visiting scholar at George Washington University's International Institute of Tourism Studies, says: "Its pristine beaches are responsible for the introduction of an array of new activities for families with children, ranging from toddlers' programs to educational and volunteer programs for older children.

"Nosara prides itself on its beaches and wildlife refuges and is now one of the most environmentally-aware communities in Latin America."

The 50th anniversary of the bullet train, several new festivals (in a country already in possession of some bizarre ones), a new luxurious cruise train called Seven Stars offering visitors a spectacular new way to explore the prefecture of Kyushu -- there are plenty of reasons to visit Japan in 2014.

First bullet trains, now luxury.

"The first official International Cool Japan Awards and POP Matsuri (festival), will take place in Osaka between March 21 and 30, 2014," says Kylie Clark from the Japanese National Tourism Organisation.

"Categories will include manga, anime and gaming, and during the festival numerous events will be held throughout the city tied to Japanese pop culture."

Spotting gorillas in Uganda and rhino in Kenya will become a less complicated affair in 2014 after changes to visa regulations come into effect.

"Visiting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a trip of a lifetime, but the magical experience itself lasts just one hour once you get up close to them," says Brad John-Davis, general manager for PEAK Africa.

"From January 1, travelers to East Africa will be able to visit Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda on a single visa, which will make it much easier to combine gorilla viewing with other incredible wildlife experiences across East Africa, such as tracking chimps in Uganda and spotting the big five in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park."

Tallinn's beautiful old town is reason any year to head to this under-visited city, but in 2014 its most popular tourist attraction will become significantly more accessible, thanks to plans to complete excavation of the tunnels beneath the famous bastion walls.

The city also has a number of relatively new attractions, including the Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Museum, where visitors can check out several seaplanes housed within spectacular hangars.

The museum has recently opened a Titanic Artefact exhibition that examines the history of the doomed ship; in early 2014, the museum will host several gala dinners inspired by the last night in the first-class area of the ship.

Baltic Tours offer a two-night city break in Tallinn. Prices start from $225 per person.